News

We at the Rangers Charity Foundation are delighted to announce the launch of a new programme this November, which aims to support men’s mental wellbeing.

‘Team Talk’ will run at Ibrox every Wednesday night, and aims to build resilience, improve social circles, enhance confidence, increase physical activity and help adult men to feel more supported.

The two hour sessions will provide men who experience mild mental wellbeing challenges with a secure and friendly space to socialise and talk openly about their thoughts and feelings. Those facing more severe problems are then able to find advice about where best to seek help.

Sitting under the Foundation’s ‘Healthy Lives’ pillar, ‘Team Talk’ will offer a positive and relaxed atmosphere, where people can meet others who may be experiencing similar mental health issues. Specially trained coaches will begin each session with one hour of social and conversational topics, before giving participants the choice of a physical activity or wellbeing discussion hour.

The programme has been made possible thanks to support from Rangers FC’s shirt sponsor, 32Red. Kindred Group’s (of which 32Red is a brand) ‘Tackling the Stigma’ report showed that over 4 million working class men are suffering in silence with their mental health issues in the UK. They are far more likely to suffer mental health problems but simultaneously less likely to both know the symptoms, or go to a doctor to seek advice. But their passion for sport (40% of working class men are football fans of a specific team, compared to 29% of everyone else) shows that harnessing the power of football clubs is vital to providing support.

Connal Cochrane, Rangers Charity Foundation Director, said: “Promoting positive mental wellbeing is as important today as it’s ever been. We want to provide a welcoming place for men to build social connections and feel better supported in looking after their wellbeing.

“We are incredibly grateful to have the support of Club sponsor 32 Red through this new investment. We’ve been aware of the need for this type of project for some time, and we look forward to welcoming a wide range of men to Ibrox soon for our first Team Talk sessions.” 

Neil Banbury, 32Red’s UK General Manager, said: “The investment we are announcing today means the huge benefits of the Team Talk programmes can be rolled out across the country. Using the unique relationship supporters have with their local club, we can reach men with the expanded mental wellbeing support services who would otherwise be suffering in silence.

“Our partnerships with Rangers show how this new model for football club sponsorship can work in practice. 32Red is continuing to lead the way in becoming a sponsor of choice for a club and its community.”

Full COVID safety measures are in place within the Rangers Charity Foundation’s delivery space, but people are advised to adhere to Government guidelines. Longer term, the course will act as a drop-in service but, due to current restrictions around Covid-19, the Foundation currently requires a strict sign-up policy to ensure we keep within the numbers of people the centre can hold with social distancing procedures in place.

Team Talk will take place at the Ibrox Community Hub every Wednesday night, starting 18 November, from 6 – 8pm and is available for all adult males. You can take part on any week, but places will be limited so please first register your interest by emailing rangerscharity@rangers.co.uk.